'N SYNC

Backstreet Boys

Back again? The Backstreet Boys never left

By Luke Smith

Music Editor

Entrepreneur Lou Pearlman's creation first crash-landed on the music scene sporting boyish charm and simple sweet melody. They targeted an audience masterfully, digging deep into the hearts of pre-teen girls everywhere.

With the release of their new album "Black and Blue," the men within the Backstreet Boys only strengthened their claim to the crown as the Kings of Music We Don't Write Ourselves.

The Michigan Daily: You guys seem to re-invent yourselves on each record, its really uncanny how each song and each album sounds totally different than its predecessor. How do you do it?

Howie: Well, when we go into the studio each time, we take about two weeks to sit down and write our songs for the re-

Kevin: (Interjecting) Howie ... We don't write our own songs, remember, those guys in that city Sweden do.

AJ: Yo man, dat's wack, Sweden is a state or sumthin'. My hat is sweet.

TMD: The Backstreet Boys image seems to take a turn with each record. How would you describe the turns taken with this album?

Kevin: Well, when the other band's record, No Strings Attached, blew up we knew we had to come out swinging. Joey from our labelmates' band is a bit chubby, so Lou thought it would be best if Nick started packing away the double Whoppers so he could girth up. Our endorsement deal with Burger King has really paid off. The results have been amazing, our female fans dig the fat one.

TMD: Nick, how do you feel about Lou telling you what you can and can't eat?

Nick: What? I'm not picking my nose, I'm doing this (clearly picking his nose). Is that a problem?

TMD: Brian, you seem to take center stage in this band a lot, although it's clearly a four piece and Howie. Brian, do you fear the limelight?

Brian: With all due respect, could you call me B-rock from now on? I mean that is what everyone calls me. How can I re-invent myself when I'm constantly confronted with the past? But to answer your question, you hit it on the head.

TMD: Uh, I asked a question?

B-rock: Yeah and you answered it.

TMD: On the road things can get pretty hairy, always busy with touring and press. Do you guys have someone who does everyday things for you?

Kevin: No we don't, and actually that makes it kind of difficult. When you're on the road it's difficult to keep up with the laundry so you find yourself without a clean pair of underpants. This is when its nice that AJ's girlfriend comes along, because I just wear her's. They tend to be pretty snug though, which is lucky.

Nick: My brother's on TV again!

TMD: Guys, it's a pretty stock question, but what is the strangest thing that has happened to you on stage?

B-rock: In Germany, someone threw a rock and it hit me in the face, I thought it was a cuddly toy or something.

TMD: Ouch, that had to hurt.

B-rock: Naw man, not at all, like I said, I pretended it was a cuddly toy.

Note to the reader: Although these interviews are primarily the product of Jeff and Luke's imaginations, they are convinced, after hours of research on fan pages, that these are the answers the band members would have provided if they weren't "too busy" to speak to The Michigan Daily.